By Melvin Tejan Mansaray
A Member of the Sierra Leone Parliamentary Delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, Hon. Saa Emerson Lamina, who also doubles as the Leader of Government Business Two in the Sierra Leone Parliament has praised the progress of The Gambia but registered reservation over changes to term limits.
Hon. Lamina was speaking exclusively to this Press on Tuesday 5th May, 2026 following the presentation of Ivory Coast, Ghana and The Gambia Country reports on the Second day of the ongoing 2026 First Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament holding in Abuja Nigeria from 4th to 17th May, 2026.
Hon. Lamina said that the presentation of the country reports started in a good footing.
“I should commend the presenters for giving a comprehensive detail on their political situation, democracy, peace, security and human rights; environmental situation -effects of climate change, and status of the implementation of Community texts, initiatives or programmes/projects within member states,” Hon. Lamina said.
He added that he zeroed in on the political situation and appreciated The Gambia’s political stride on Early Warning analysis.
He said it is surprising that most Heads of State in spite of the respect of the constitution and sovereignty of nations and governance.
” I expressed concern about the presidency and entrance legitimacy which seem to change from what they promised to the reality on the ground. For example, there is a term limit but at the time the president came to power it turned out and I understand that there is no term limit now , that’s surprising.”
He said that if most countries have ratified Early Warning Mechanisms then there should be red flags around what was campaigned on versus the change when they acquire power.
Hon. Lamina insisted that:
“Technically, I am saying that leaders in West Africa must not shift the goalpost in the middle of the game, that’s a red flag.”
Hon. Lamina underscored that the danger in the prolongation of term limits and shift from campaign promises is that it, “attracts military intervention.”
He emphasized that he does not support military involvement in democratic leadership because they suppress the Press, dissolved Parliament and suspend the constitution.
Hon. Lamina said it is discomforting for him to learn that the extension of the Gambia’s President’s term limit was not made explicit in the Gambia’s Country report.
The Sierra Leonean Ranking MP, Hon. Lamina said it is difficult to reconcile how a small country with a small population is having over twenty-two political parties.
He said:
“There should be a stronger threshold in which individuals and political parties should fulfill before having the real opportunity to contest, that’s very important.”
As contained in its Country’s Delegation report, the Gambia is preparing for its December 2026 Presidential elections and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has published the official schedule for the Electoral cycle, outlining key milestones and procedural timeliness guiding the conduct of polls.
Hon. Lamina noted that the pattern of leaders promising change in the start and end up being dictators is propelled by ignorance.
“Fathers of democracy like the USA, or even Nigeria have a two-term limit. I actually detest and do not admire leaders that campaign on the rules of two-terms but turn out to be different with third-term and others, termless. It’s not good for democracy and I think ECOWAS must act. Article 40.2 states that countries of ECOWAS should endeavor to have uniform laws. We don’t have it at the moment, but ECOWAS Supplementary Act is categorically insisting on this. It is possible for countries in the ECOWAS to have uniform laws. For example, almost every country now adheres to the ECOWAS Protocol that says you can’t change electoral laws six months into elections. The uniform laws will bring out the real tenet of democratic principles.”
Contained in The Gambia’s Country report is Early Warning Analysis that indicated: “While the political environment in The Gambia remains largely open, and participatory, early warning mechanisms continue to maintain vigilance and closely monitor any emerging signs of tension. Particular attention is given to community- level dynamics, where political competition may manifest in localized disputes or heightened sensitivities requiring timely intervention.”
It is worth mentioning that one of the legacies of former president Yayah Jammeh, the 1997 Constitution of the Gambia allows for unlimited five years. Efforts to review this law failed in 2020 due to debate over whether it should apply retroactively to incumbent president Adama Barrow.
The failure to pass a new constitution means that there are no legal caps that exists to enable president Barrow to seek a third-term in the 2026 elections despite earlier promises of electoral reform.
In an interview with QTV on January 31st ,2025, President Barrow said:
“Let me provide you with a direct answer: Yes, I will be contesting in the next presidential election.”
The Gambia is located in West Africa, surrounding the lower Gambia River. It has an area of approximately 11,300 square kilometers (4,400 sq mi). The climate is Sahelian with distinct wet and dry seasons. The Gambia is bordered on all sides by Senegal, except for the coast. The country has a population of over 2.4 million as of 2024, with high density in coastal areas. The capital is Banjul and the major languages spoken are English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula.
The Gambia is predominantly Muslim (up to 90%), with Christian minorities.
Culturally, the Country is known as the “smiling coast of West Africa,” famous for the kora instrument and griot storytelling.
